The race for the lilies: What’s the buzz:?

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - The Kentucky Oaks’ field includes a lively bunch of ladies, several of which are more than capable of getting the job done just before 6 p.m. on Friday.

Most of the major contenders come to Churchill Downs with plenty of momentum. Where’s My Ring picked the perfect time to ring up the first win of her career by romping in the recent Gazelle Stakes. It was by far her top performance.

Thorpedo Anna stamped herself as a major player with a brilliant effort in the Fantasy Stakes. That triumph at Oaklawn Park was her lone start of 2024, and she has a license to improve off that powerful run.

There’s Tarifa, who took on and beat all-comers in a pair of major stakes at Fair Grounds. Winning down in New Orleans has proven to be a successful path to winning the garland of lilies.   

Ways and Means ran into trouble and more trouble during the Gulfstream Park Oaks. Yet she dug in and kept coming to finish second. That dogged determination can be the winning difference in the mile and an eighth Kentucky Oaks.  The winner of that Gulfstream race, Power Squeeze, brings a 4-race victory streak to Louisville.

Leslie’s Rose rose to the occasion at Keeneland, where she captured the Ashland Stakes. She stormed home late and won by three lengths in what was the deepest field of Kentucky Oaks preps. The Ashland runner-up, the 2-year-old Eclipse winner, Just F.Y.I, overcame a wide trip to grab second place.

It could be a springboard to finding the winner’s circle at Churchill. Some of these contenders have generated a lot of chatter on the Downs’ backside. Several observers are raving about Just F.Y.I’s appearance on the racetrack and how she looks absolutely perfect during morning workouts. If it’s beauty contest, go ahead and give the trophy to this filly. 

“She’s got some stride on her,”said her trainer, Bill Mott.

Back to Thorpedo Anna. Her trainer, Ken McPeek, says watch out for his filly and was quoted saying, “The other trainers better bring bears because I’m bringing a Grizzly!”

Jorge Delgado, trainer of Power Squeeze, oozes confidence: “She looks like a winner…it’s difficult to control my excitement about her.”

Trainer Chad Brown on his Oaks contender, Ways and Means: “She’s an extremely rare talent.”

The buzz and the vibe for this Kentucky Oaks are building and building. How about a pick?

Win: Thorpedo Anna

Place: Just F.Y.I.

Show: Ways and Means

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